This project is an example of a non-profit gift economy project in a regional field of action in North Hesse, initiated, supervised and developed by the Foundation.

Our goals

With the “1/2 hectare” project, the Future Now Foundation (supported by a Kassel-based company and in cooperation with other regional players) wants to stimulate the formation of cycles in which non-profit foundations cooperate with companies to initiate innovative and sustainable projects with a common good orientation. The regional and sustainable development of food sovereignty tested in this way, which is urgently needed today, enables the growth of a sense of community in solidarity and intercultural understanding.
For this purpose, using our fruit tree plantations as an example, we want to perspectively bring together individuals, action networks (such as those of our foundation) and later also refugee families to care for the fruit trees on the property, to rediscover old regional knowledge about rare fruit varieties and to learn fruit tree pruning themselves. With regular gatherings, meetings and harvest festivals, creative and convivial spaces are also created in which the later harvest yield is shared and used for the common good.

The fruit tree project in Altenhasungen

In March 2017, the first sods were turned on our property in Altenhasungen in the Wolfhager Land region for our sustainability project “fruit tree meadow” with old, seed-proof fruit varieties.

The situation after two hard summers 2020

Our young saplings faced significant challenges in becoming native to our meadow during the unexpectedly dry summers of 2018 and 2019. Despite fertilization, care and winter pruning, it did not go without losses on our property. Nevertheless, on one sapling in particular there was also already a remarkable prospect of a possible first harvest success.

This year’s activities 2021

In April, the renewal of the tree discs, that is, the compost area for the young trees was pending and the assessment of the need for replanting or replacement. A loss of five saplings was looming, which would then be replaced in the fall.